Proper Lifting and Ergonomics to Minimize Injuries

July 9, 2012

Proper Lifting and Ergonomics to Minimize Injuries

by Cole Rehabilitation

The goal of ergonomics is to minimize fatigue, discomfort, injury and emotional stress. It is important to design and develop equipment, workstation layout and work strategies to best suit and protect the human body.

Identify Poor Posture- It is key to meet job demands with minimum stress on the muscles, ligaments, bones and joints.

Avoid prolonged static posture.

Reposition every 20 minutes.

Tasks should not require employees to stay in awkward positions, such as reaching, bending or hunching over for long periods of time.

If possible, minimize the amount of time you spend doing a highly repetitive task.

Proper Lifting Techniques- Lifting and carrying are physically strenuous due to the risk for injury to back and arms.

Make sure that you can lift the weight on your own-if not-get help.

Lift the object close to your body, keep feet apart to maintain balance, always use legs to lift, and lift with both hands.

Workstation- A working position should be as comfortable as possible.

A work area should be designed to allow the worker to maintain a correct and comfortable body posture whether sitting or standing.

A chair should be available even if work is done standing up to avoid prolonged standing.

Eliminate glare and shadows – good lighting is essential.

Sitting/Chair design- A good chair is essential for sitting at work.

A chair’s height should be appropriate for the job being performed.

A good sitting position means that you are sitting straight in front of and close to the work.

The surface of the desk or worktable should be at equal height to elbows when sitting.